Alex McLeish casts doubt over his Aston Villa future

Alex McLeish today cast further doubt on his own long-term future as the manager of Aston Villa after he refused to discuss whether he could tolerate another season like the current one.

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner and chief executive Paul Faulkner had already issued a statement during the week which stopped short of guaranteeing McLeish beyond the next three games following the angry reaction of supporters after a poor season.

And when asked if he could put himself through another gruelling campaign, McLeish said: "These decisions are not for now. I couldn't even begin to think about next season until we get this season over.

"I think it was a statement for the last three games and that's where we should be looking. As for as a vote of confidence, I didn't see it that way. I just saw it as support as I have always done.

"I thought it was great leadership from the chairman and I think people want to hear what he is saying at this particular stage as well.

"If you want to speculate, you can make your own mind up. What I took from the support of the chairman is we're all focusing on these next three games.

"Nobody is thinking about anything else. I'm not thinking about my future. I'm concentrating on these nine points."

But McLeish, who was relegated with Birmingham City last season before he crossed the city divide, did not rule out staying with Villa even if he took them down.

When he was questioned over whether he would walk away if they dropped out of the Premier League under his watch, McLeish said: "I can't say, it's all hypothetical."

However, the Scot claimed there does need to be a reality check among Villa supporters and a redrawing of expectations.

"I know the supporters don't want this situation and they want Villa to be up in the top six or something. That's Villa's history and heritage," added McLeish. "At the moment, it's not realistic. But we want to be there again."